Chargers running back Austin Ekeler has only gotten 12 offensive snaps this season, butthat should change at the Meadowlands this weekend when he is Melvin Gordon’s primary backup. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze/SCNG)

COSTA MESA — After three steps, Austin Ekeler knew he was getting to the end zone.

Early in the fourth quarter last Sunday, the Chargers called a trap play, sending their offensive linemen to the right. A half-second later, Ekeler cut back to his left. The Philadelphia defense was out of position, and the 5-foot-10 running back saw a clear path to the goal line, 35 yards away.

First career carry, first career touchdown.

“It didn’t end up going the way we planned as far as blocking scheme,” Ekeler said. “But you know, running back, it’s the most instinctive position. You’ve got to react to things when things go bad, and make something happen.”

He did. And this Sunday at MetLife Stadium, he will face the Giants (10 a.m. PT, Ch. 9) as the Chargers’ No. 2 tailback. Not bad for an undrafted rookie out of Western State.

Ekeler’s touchdown was one of the bright spots in the Chargers’ 26-24 loss to the Eagles — and another reminder that, every year, NFL talent evaluators miss on talent. Buried on the depth chart at the start of training camp, the 22-year-old gradually climbed up the ladder. He flashed his skills in space, totaling 108 yards from scrimmage in a preseason finale against the 49ers.

But since the regular season started, Ekeler has only gotten 12 offensive snaps. That should change at the Meadowlands this weekend. The Chargers (0-4) ruled out Branden Oliver with a hamstring injury on Friday, giving Ekeler a chance as Melvin Gordon’s primary backup.

For a winless team averaging just 67.5 rushing yards per game, the change presents few downsides. Only three NFL franchises have been worse on the ground this season: the Dolphins (66.3), the Giants (59.2) and the Cardinals (57.0).

“He’s a little bit of an unproven commodity from the standpoint of regular-season games,” offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt said of Ekeler, “so it’s not like we have a 30-play package designed for him. But there are certain things you try to put him in for and see if you can use some of the things he does well.”

One standout trait? Two years ago in Indianapolis, Gordon ran his 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds. A year before that, Oliver recorded the same time at his pro day.

The Chargers have played in four different stadiums since the start of the 2017 preseason. Sunday’s visit to MetLife Stadium is the first time they will play on synthetic turf.

At least one player isn’t concerned about the adjustment.

“Don’t think so,” said safety Tre Boston. “Warm up for 20 to 30 minutes, should be fine.”

NFL players generally prefer to play on real grass, though such surfaces can be impractical to maintain in places with cold winters.

Two years ago, Sports Illustrated produced a ranking of NFL fields, synthesizing input from players as well as stadium groundskeepers. MetLife Stadium’s UBU Speed Series S5-M Synthetic Turf slotted in at No. 14. The same brand of turf was re-installed at the venue in spring of 2016.

Injury report

Rookie receiver Mike Williams was ruled out for Sunday’s game, along with Oliver. Limited since May by a herniated disc in his lower back, the No. 7 overall pick has yet to make his NFL debut.

Linebacker Jatavis Brown — the NFL’s third-leading tackler — and right tackle Joe Barksdale are questionable to play against the Giants (0-4). Recovering from respective ankle and foot injuries, the two could be game-time decisions at MetLife Stadium.

Receiver Tyrell Williams (neck) and tight end Sean McGrath (foot) are also listed as questionable, but both were full participants in every practice this week.

The Chargers may consider activating Andre Williams off the practice squad to supplement the running back depth chart — a move that would pit the 5-foot-11 back against his old team. A fourth-round pick by the Giants, the former Heisman finalist ran for 721 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie in 2014.

Jack Wang covers the Chargers, the latest NFL team to relocate to Los Angeles. He previously covered the Rams, and also spent four years on the UCLA beat, a strange period in which the Bruins' football program often outpaced their basketball team. He is a proud graduate of UC Berkeley, where he spent most of his time in The Daily Californian offices in Eshleman Hall — a building that did not become earthquake-safe until after his time on campus.

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